Our boat has gone abroad & but the Billfish Babes tradition lives on through Fascination II. I can't you how much we miss this boat already but onwards & upwards as will look forward to finding another game boat. We had a ton of fun with Fas & so we are so pleased to see her still raising fish, especially for women! This vessel actually inspired myself (Marlene) to start Billfish Babes because of the past history of female angling Fas has had.

On behalf of Captain Russell & myself (Marlene) We would like to extend a very warm thank you to all our guests whom chartered with us this year & we look forward to welcoming everyone & new guests back onboard with our new vessel next year. Have a very merry fishmas & a happy prosperous new year! #MerryChristmasEveryone #HappyNewYear #ExcitingTimesAhead #BringOn2019 #GreatBarrierReef #Whitsundays #TopnotchGameFishing #LuxuryChaters @billfishbabe_marlene @billfish_babes ... See MoreSee Less

Lizard Island & Cooktown

Lizard Island

Tropical Oasis | Giant Black Marlin | Great Barrier Reef

Lizard Island is Australia’s northernmost island resort. It is located 150 miles north of Cairns and 57 miles north east off the coast from Cooktown. Lizard Island is an absolute tropical paradise, a haven of isolation, gratification and relaxation.

In 1770 Captain James Cook first ventured into these uncharted reaches as the last chance for a crew seeking freedom from the beautiful but deadly coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. Cook anchored in one of the island’s bays and climbed to the top of the hill now known as Cook’s Look. There he surveyed a suitable passage away from the island.

On Lizard Island, goannas can be found almost everywhere, and were so common when James Cook first landed that it didn’t take him long to name the island after them.

Big Game Fishing Paradise

On the Great Barrier Reef in a stretch of water between Lizard Island & Cairns famously known as the Ribbon Reefs. Every year giant black marlin come here to breed from September through to December. More GRANDERS 1000lb+ black marlin are caught here more than anywhere else in the world making these reefs a predominate BIG MARLIN factory! This sets the scene for one the worlds most incredible big game fisheries & home to Australia’s giant black marlin charters.

Please note Topnotch Game Fishing giant black marlin charters are ONLY available during October and November from destinations Cairns, Cooktown and Lizard Island.

Lizard Island Accommodation

As the northern most resort on the Great Barrier Reef, and a luxury lodge of Australia, Lizard Island is truly secluded from the rest of the world. This is just one wonderful Lizard Island fact that makes it like nowhere else. Add 24 private beaches, and with only 40 suites and villas, that means a private beach for every guest, couple or group. The hour flight from Cairns allows you to take in the true majesty and scale of the reef, and the resort is literally on the the Great Barrier Reef.

How To Fly To Lizard Island

Daily flights depart from the East Air terminal in Cairns at 11am and 2pm to Lizard Island. Use this as a guide, if possible, when booking your flights to and from Cairns.

Daily flights depart Lizard Island at 12:25pm and 3:25pm to the East Air terminal in Cairns. Use this as a guide, if possible, when booking your flights to and from Cairns. Each guest may take a maximum of 25 kilograms of luggage, including hand luggage.

Cooktown Far North Queensland

Gateway To The Big Marlin Fishing Grounds

Cooktown was the site of the first white ‘settlement’ in Australia when Captain James Cook, having accidentally struck the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast north of Cape Tribulation, struggled up the coast and beached the Endeavour on the shores of the Endeavour River. Cook and his crew were to stay on the edge of the Endeavour River from 17 June to 4 August, 1770, the longest time they were to spend at any location in Australia.

Discover the most beautiful, lush natural settings of Cooktown. Naturally there are the pristine beaches, but you can also find tropical lagoons, waterfalls, hidden gardens, and magical mountain views.

A must-see is a visit to Grassy Hill Lookout where you can experience 360 degree views of the countryside and beaches. There is also a walking track from the summit to the nearby beach at Cherry Tree Bay.

Cooktown, with it’s anchor and cannon recovered from the reef that wrecked Captain Cook’s “Endeavour”, is a fascinating place. Located in far north Queensland Australia, the fishing is great and the scenery is unique. Cooktown also has an Airport.

Closest Port To The Famous Ribbon Reefs

Only a short hour and a half away from giant black marlin country right in the middle of the big marlin factory Ribbons Reefs. Cooktown is located exactly west of Numbers 3 and 4 Ribbon Reefs, it’s an easy departure point to fish anywhere along the Ribbons from Number 10 in the north. Here you will find Topnotch Game Fishing will mainly be based from this location during heavy tackle season of October and November. When the hot bite is ondeparting from Cooktown is your best location to go to where the fishing is best!

The Seaview Motel is Cooktown’s only accommodation located on the waterfront with spectacular river views!

Luxury Private Charters

Please note that we only do private charters. This means yourself & your friends or family will have the entire vessel exclusively all to your own & please indicate on form in subject area, as to which charter option you are most interested in.